KEEPING key services running has been one of the toughest challenges for Winchester City Council.

During lockdown, the majority of staff have been working from home.

At a full council meeting on July 8, Cllr Anne Weir asked the what problems this has caused and how members of the public have responded.

Leader of the council Cllr Lucille Thompson responded: "One of the biggest challenges the council faced was how to ensure our key services continued whilst at the same time, setting up new services with the

majority of staff working from home.

"It was an extraordinary ask but officers and staff really stepped up to that challenge. In a very short space of time a Local Response Centre was set up to help vulnerable residents; £26million of business rate relief grant went to all those businesses who qualified; our vulnerable housing tenants were contacted and safe homes provided where needed.

"We kept our parks and one spaces open, provided free parking for NHS staff and other key workers, continued to run full planning and building control services and cleared numerous fly-tips."

She added that members of the public have been and are continuing to express their thanks for the way waste crews have continued to provide a full service.

"In addition, we are also receiving many letters of thanks from residents who are extremely grateful for the way our staff have helped with delivering prescriptions and shopping where needed.

"The sheer scale of the challenge we faced and are still facing, and the way our officers and staff have continued to respond has been extraordinary and I would like to thank each and everyone for their commitment and dedication for all they have done."